The Naschmarkt in the 6th district is anything but an insider tip. On the contrary, it is mainly tourists who stroll up and down the alleys and sit down in the restaurants or the new Naschpark. If you prefer something more authentic, you should head to the 16th district instead. Hardly any tourists stray to the Brunnenmarkt, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less busy here. Throw yourself into the colorful hustle and bustle and embark on a culinary world tour.
Trading for 240 years
Photo: Peter Gugerell/Wikimedia Commons
The Brunnenmarkt was established in 1786 in the former Vienna suburb of Neulerchenfeld and owes its name to the fountain that Emperor Joseph II had built here. This no longer exists today, as the horse-drawn tram took its place in the 1870s. The market, however, remained and is now one of only two remaining street markets in Vienna. Until 2005, the stalls were dismantled after the market closed and rebuilt the next day. Now, however, the street is closed to traffic and the stalls remain in place overnight.
In 1897, the Brunnenmarkt was expanded: the Yppenmarkt on what is now Yppenplatz was once a wholesale market for fresh food and eventually merged with the Brunnenmarkt. This is also where the only permanent stalls in the entire market are located. Today, the Brunnenmarkt is the longest market in Vienna with up to 170 stalls and a length of 948 meters, and is also one of the cheapest.
Diverse offerings at the Brunnenmarkt
Photo: Peter Gugerell/Wikimedia Commons
Brunnenmarkt feels like a journey through different cultures. The Turkish community is particularly well represented here, but for a few years now there has also been an Arabic corner. Here you can get everything your heart desires, from burek and kebabs to falafel and lentil soup. You can also enjoy Italian cuisine at Yppenplatz.
If you prefer ingredients for home cooking to ready-made meals, the Brunnenmarkt is also a good place to go. You can buy fragrant spices, colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh meat and dairy products at affordable prices. Bargaining is part of the culture here. You can get particularly good deals at lunchtime at the farmers’ market or at the end of the day when the market closes. In addition to food, you can also buy flowers and other items.
The Brunnenmarkt is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farmers’ market is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The restaurants are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. So let yourself be carried along by the crowd, stroll along Brunnengasse, and at the end of your visit, settle down at the Yppenmarkt, where you can enjoy your delicacies.